PA
The body of Tony Benn may rest overnight in a Westminster chapel on the night before his funeral, if a request to Buckingham Palace is granted.
The honour was last granted to Margaret Thatcher last year.
Parliamentary authorities backed by the Commons Speaker, John Bercow, filed the request which would see the late Labour MP lie in the Chapel of St Mary Undercroft on 26 March.
Thatcher's coffin in the chapel last year
If granted it would be a private affair unlike an official "lying in state" where the public would be allowed to pay their respects.
Rev Rose Hudson-Wilkin, the chaplain to the Speaker, has said he would keep an overnight vigil if permission is granted.
Story continues after slideshow...
Tony Benn Life In Pictures
Tony Benn(01 of116)
PA News Photo 13/2/82 A library file picture of Tony Benn in London (credit:PA)
Tony Benn(02 of116)
Labour MP for Chesterfield, Tony Benn addresses a meeting and rally at Notting Hill, London when he called for total support from the Lbouir movement for the miners in their fight. (credit:PA)
Tony Benn North Sea Oil(03 of116)
Energy Secretary Tony Benn (C) holds a sample of oil at a ceremony to mark the opening of the valve to bring ashore Britain's first North Sea oil at the BP refinery on the Isle of Grain, Kent. * With Benn are Frederick Hamilton (L) chairman of the Argyll Consortium and Captain Harry Koutsoukos of the tanker Theogennitor which transported the crude oil ashore. (credit:PA)
Tony Benn signs Technological Agreement(04 of116)
Mr Antony Wedgewood Benn, Minister of Technology and Acamedician V A Kirlin, Deputy Chairman of the Council of Minsters of the USSR and Chariman of the State Committee of the Council of Ministers if the USSR for Science and Technology at the Ministry of Technology at Millbank Tower, after signing a Technological Agreement on behalf of their respective Governments. (credit:PA)
Tony Benn(05 of116)
Tony Benn hand in hand with his wife Caroline at Heathrow Airport. (credit:PA)
Tony Benn/Brighton Conference(06 of116)
Tony Benn, who was defeated by Denis Healey in the election for the deputy leadership of the Labour Party, speaking at the party conference in Brighton. (credit:PA)
Politics - European Referendum - National Referendum on the Common Market - Tony Benn - London(07 of116)
Industry Secretary Tony Benn and his daughter Melissa, 18, leave a church hall polling station on Portobello Road, after casting their votes in the European Referendum on the Common Market. (credit:PA)
Tony Benn(08 of116)
Tony Ben, former Minister of Technology, addressing the Labour Party Conference. (credit:PA)
British Postal Service - Christmas Mail - London(09 of116)
Postmaster General Tony Benn during a visit to the new Western District Office in Rathbone Palace, London, during the start of the Christmas rush (credit:PA)
Politics - Tony Benn - Labour Party Conference - Winter Gardens, Blackpool(10 of116)
Labour MP Tony Benn in a thoughtful mood as he listens to Harold Wilson's speech on the second day of the Labour Party conference at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool. (credit:PA)
Tony Benn - Iraq crisis(11 of116)
Former MP Tony Benn smokes his pipe outside the Palace of Westminster during the debate in the House of Commons on the possibility of war aganist Iraq. (credit:PA)
Tony Benn Bristol aged 27(12 of116)
Anthony Wedgewood Benn, aged 27, Labour Party candidate in the Bristol South East by-election. (credit:PA)
Tony Benn in his ministerial office(13 of116)
Mr Antony Wedgewood Benn, who retains his title as Minister of Technology but now has vastly wider responsiblities in Harold Wilson's Cabinet changes, pictured at work in his Ministry in Millbank Towers. In the Premier's reconstruction, Benn also becomes Minister of Power and takes over some of the industrial responsibilities of the Board of Trade and the work of the Department of Economic Affairs. (credit:PA)
Benn Claiming His Seat(14 of116)
Holding up his certificate of election, Anthony Benn, with his wife Caroline and 9 year old son Stephen stands outside the Houses Of Parliament. (credit:PA)
Tony Benn Canvassing 1950(15 of116)
Anthony Wedgwood Benn and his wife Caroline, carrying the Labour Party's banner, in a three-cornered battle for Sir Stafford Crips' old seat in Bristol SE. (credit:PA)
Tony Benn D.I.Y(16 of116)
Tony Benn MP decorates the Labour Party offices at St. George, Bristol. (credit:PA)
Tony Benn(17 of116)
PA NEWS PHOTO 25/4/61 ANTHONY WEDGWOOD BENN PICTURED LABOUR CANVASSING TO HOUSEWIFE JUDITH SPRATT AND HER TWO YEAR OLD SON MARK IN LONDON (credit:PA)
Politics - Anthony Wedgwood Benn(18 of116)
Anthony Wedgwood Benn, the 'reluctant' Lord Stansgate, listens attentively to the proceedings at his adoption meeeting at Transport House, Bristol as Labour cadidate in the Bristol South-east Parliamentary by-elections. (credit:PA)
Tony Benn speaks as Minister of Technology(19 of116)
Mr Antony Wedgewood Benn, the Minister of Technology, at a Press Conference announcing details of Industrial Units to be set up at Universities and a Tribology centre at Risley. (credit:PA)
Tony Benn new Minister of Technology(20 of116)
Mr Antony Wedgewood Benn, who has taken over as Minsiter of Technology after the resignation of Mr Frank Cousins, taking up his duties in his Ministry in the Vickers Building, Millbank. (credit:PA)
Royalty - Queen Elizabeth II - Post Office Tower, London(21 of116)
*Scanned low-res from print, high-res available on request* Queen Elizabeth II admires a gold brooch, a tiny model of the Post Office Tower, presented to her by Anthony Wedgwood Benn, the Postmaster General, left, during her visit to London's tallest building. (credit:PA)
Politics - Labour Party Conference - Blackpool(22 of116)
The Labour Party conference comes to a close with a rendition of the Red Flag. (from left) NEC members Tony Benn and Alan Hadden, leader Neil Kinnock, General Secretary Jim Mortimer, and conference chairman Eric Heffer (credit:PA)
Politics - Tony Benn - 10 Downing Street, London(23 of116)
Mr Tony Benn outside 10 Downing Street, London with the group head by the Scottish NUM area secretary Mr Eric Clarke to hand in a 25,000 signature petition over miners sacked during the strike of 1984/85. (credit:PA)
Politics - Tony Benn - Peace March - Hyde Park, London(24 of116)
Labour MP'S Tony Benn and Judith Hart taking part in peace march from Hyde Park to a rally in Trafalgar Square, London. It was called by the Ad Hoc Committee for Peace in the Falklands. (credit:PA)
Politics - Tony Benn - News International, Wapping(25 of116)
Labour MP TONY BENN addressing print union members on the picket line outside News International's printing plant at Wapping, when 175 police officers and 30 demonstrators were reported injured during the worst night of violence in the dispute so far. (credit:PA)
Politics - Tony Benn - TUC, Congress House, London(26 of116)
Parcelled books become a mini-platform for former MP Mr Tony Benn, at the TUC, Congress House, Bloomsbury, London officially opening the International Peace Poster Exhibition, organised by the Co-op London Region Political Committee. The unique collection is culled from many countries, making an important contribution to the British Peace Movement. (credit:PA)
Politics - Tony Benn - Arkwright Colliery, near Chesterfield(27 of116)
Mr Tony Benn wearing the pit overalls which he bought when he was Energy Secretary, responsible for the Mining Industry, in the yard of Arkwright Colliery, near Chesterfield, after he visited the drift nine. Mr Benn is contesting the by-election at Chesterfield on March 1st. (credit:PA)
Politics - Tony Benn - Labour Party Conference, Blackpool(28 of116)
Labour MP for Chesterfield Mr Tony Benn and his son Hilary in Blackpool after a closed session of the Labour Party conference voted to expel eight Liverpool militant supporters. (credit:PA)
Politics - Tony Benn - Chesterfield(29 of116)
Tony Benn and his wife Caroline in Chesterfield where Mr Benn, Labour candidate in the town's by-election, is contesting his 14th parliamentary election. (credit:PA)
Politics - Tony Benn - Campaign for Press and Broadcasting Freedom Demonstration - Hyde Park, London(30 of116)
Tony Benn MP, mouth open wide in full flow, reading extracts of the banned book Spycatcher from the soapbox stand at Hyde Park as part of a demonstration by the Campaign for Press and Broadcasting Freedom. (credit:PA)
Tony Benn(31 of116)
Tony Benn appointed by Labour Prime Minister Harold Wilson as the Postmaster-General. 27/6/99: Benn is to stand down as an MP at the next General Election, but has stressed that leaving Parliament will not mark the end of his political career. * disclosed his decision in a letter to his constituency Labour Party in Chesterfield. (credit:PA)
Politics - Tony Benn - 1987 General Election(32 of116)
Lady Stansgate, who is 90, with her son Tony Benn and grandson Hilary Benn, who are both candidates in the in the General Election. Lady Stansgate's Parliamentary links began with her father Daniel Holmes who was MP for Govan, Scotland. She heard her first election results in 1906 by phone. Her later husband William Wedgwood Benn served in two labour cabinets and was given a peerage. Her son is fighting his 15th Parliamentary election for Chesterfield and grandson Hilary, an Ealing councillor, is contesting Ealing north. (credit:PA)
Politics - South London Labour Movement Rally - Lambeth Town Hall(33 of116)
Tony Benn, former Labour MP for Bristol, with Fennis Augustine of the Grenada High Commission, at Lambeth Town Hall in London. They addressed a rally organised by the South London Labour Movement to protest at US involvement in Central America. (credit:PA)
Politics - Tony Benn - BBC Radio London(34 of116)
Tony Benn acting as disc jockey on BBC Radio London's 'Morning Star' programme. Mr Benn, a former BBC producer with the North American Service in 1949, played 15 of his favourite records. His choices included Paul Robeson's 'Baal Chorus', Mahalia Jackson singing 'We Shall Overcome' and the Worcester Cathedral Choir's rendition of 'He Who Would Valiant Be'. In his hands in Clive Dunn's record 'Permission to sing sir'. (credit:PA)
Politics - Tony Benn - Falklands Conflict - Heathrow Airport, London(35 of116)
Labour MP, Mr Tony Benn, and his American-born-wife, Caroline, at Heathrow airport, London, prior to flying out to New York, where Benn is due to make a speech at the Smith and Hobart College in Geneva, New York State. He is expected to claim strong support in Britain for an unconditional and immediate cease fire in the Falklands conflict. (credit:PA)
Royalty - Tony Benn - London(36 of116)
Mr Anthony Wedgwood Benn being driven from his home in Holland Park Avenue by his son Hilary, to be admitted to Charing Cross-Hospital, London, for tests for a suspected viral infection. He was last night challenged by Labour Leader Michael Foot to fight him for the Labour leadership, a challenge he turned down. (credit:PA)
Politics - Tony Benn - London(37 of116)
MR. ANTHONY WEDGWOOD BENN, who is fighting to retain his seat in the House of Commons, pictured at his London home with his American wife, Caroline, and four children-left to right- HILARY, 7: JOSHUA, 2: MELISSA, 4: and STEPHEN, 9. (credit:PA)
Politics - Tony Benn - Christening - House of Commons, London(38 of116)
Heart-warming picture to match a lovely Spring day as STEPHEN MICHAEL, 2.5, takes the hand of his newly-christened baby brother, HILARY JAMES, outside the House of Commons, London. (credit:PA)
Politics - Tony Benn - Christening - House of Commons, London(39 of116)
HILARY JAMES, baby son of the Hon. Anthony Wedgwood Benn, in the arms of his mother after the christening in the Crypt Chapel of the House of Commons, London. The Hon. Anthony is Labour Member of Parliament for the South-east Division of Bristol. (credit:PA)
Politics - Labour Party Conference - Blackpool(40 of116)
Chairman Anthony Wedgwood Benn at the Labour Party Conference. (credit:PA)
Politics - Labour Party - Tony Benn MP(41 of116)
Labour MP Tony Benn, who represents Bristol South-East. (credit:PA)
Technology - Instruments Electronics Automation Exhibition - Olympia, London(42 of116)
Anthony Wedgwood Benn, Minister of Technology, operates the Ferranti automated draughting equipment after opening the Instruments Electronics Automation exhibition at Olympia. (credit:PA)
Politics - Tony Benn Opens Stamp Exhibition - Royal Festival Hall, London(43 of116)
Postmaster-General Anthony Wedgwood Benn studies a British Guiana one cent stamp from 1856, now valued at 200,000. He was opening the Stanley Gibbons Catalogue Centenary Exhibition at the Royal Festival Hall, London. (credit:PA)
Politics - Tony Benn - London(44 of116)
Secretary of State for Industry, Mr Anthony Wedgwood Benn with a copy of the government's White Paper on nationalisation - The Regeneration of British Industry - which was launched at a press conference in London. (credit:PA)
Politics - Tony Benn - London(45 of116)
Labour MP Tony Benn speaking at Youth Against The Torries Rally and March. (credit:PA)
Politics - Tony Benn - London(46 of116)
Anthony Wedgwood Benn, switched from Industry to Energy Secretary in the Prime Minister's Cabinet reshuffle, leaves his London home in Holland Park Avenue. Short-sleeved and with jacket slung over one shoulder, he was thought to be going to the London Hilton Hotel to speak at a lunch, but the organisers announced that he would not be attending. (credit:PA)
Royalty - Queen's Jubilee Tour - Bristol(47 of116)
The Queen shakes hands with Labour politician Tony Wedgwood Benn during her Jubilee tour in Bristol. (credit:PA)
Politics - Labour - Tony Benn - LBC Radio - London(48 of116)
Tony Benn, a candidate for Labour's deputy leadership, takes part in a phone-in with LBC Reports presenter Barry Jordan. 07/09/1981 (credit:PA)
Politics - Tony Benn - Young Socialists' Rally - Trafalgar Square, London(49 of116)
Mr Anthony Wedgwood Benn, Labour Party chairman and challenger for the deputy leadership of the Parliamentary Labour Party speaking at a Young Socialists' rally on unemployment in Trafalgar Square, London. (credit:PA)
Politics - Tony Benn - International Hotel Reservations Launch - Carlton Tower hotel, London(50 of116)
Mr. Anthony Wedgwood Benn, the Minister of Technology, launching the International Reservations' computerised hotel booking service from the Carlton Tower hotel. By this system a hotel reservation can be booked in seconds for hotels in Great Britain or the United States, merely by making a call to a reservation office. There will be reservation offices established in Birmingham, Glasgow, London and Manchester. A girl reservationist feeds the enquiry into a computer which is linked by direct high speed lines to a National Coal Board's two IBM 360/50 computers at Cannock, Staffordshire. These are programmed to register the room availability of those hotels subscribing to the system. An immediate firm booking can be made or room availability given. The computerised part of the operation takes only 15 seconds. (credit:PA)
Politics - Tony Benn - Mails Exhibition, London(51 of116)
MR. ANTHONY WEDGWOOD BENN, the Postmaster General, at the keyboard of a new coding desk, used in sorting mail, after opening the Mechanising the Mails Exhibition in London. (credit:PA)
Politics - Tony Benn - Selfridges Department Store, London(52 of116)
Former Energy Secretary Mr Anthony Wedgwood Benn at Selfridges department store in London when he signed copies of his new book, "Argument for Socialism". (credit:PA)
Politics - Tony Benn - Hilary Benn Wedding - Kensington Register Office, London(53 of116)
Mr Anthony Wedgwood Benn (l), MP for Bristol SE and a minister in the 1966 Government, saw his son Hilary, 19, married at Kensington Register Office. The bride was Rosalind Retey, also 19. They met at school. (credit:PA)
Politics - Tony Benn(54 of116)
Labour Politician Tony Benn. (credit:PA)
Politic - Tony Benn - London(55 of116)
Informally dressed in a blue sweater, Mr. ANTHONY WEDGWOOD BENN, the Postmaster-General, lights his pipe at the smiling start of talks in the living room of his London home in Holland Park Avenue, Nottinghill, on television arrangements made for the world championship fight between Cassius Clay and Henry Cooper in London on May 21. With him in the picture are former England cricket captain Mr. TED DEXTER, an executive director of Viewsport Ltd., and Mr. HARRY LEVENE, the fight promoter. Also at the talks were representatives of the BBC, ITV and Pay Television. (credit:PA)
Politics - Tony Benn - International Hotel Reservations Launch - Carlton Tower hotel, London(56 of116)
Mr. Anthony Wedgwood Benn, the Minister of Technology, launching the International Reservations' computerised hotel booking service from the Carlton Tower hotel. By this system a hotel reservation can be booked in seconds for hotels in Great Britain or the United States, merely by making a call to a reservation office. There will be reservation offices established in Birmingham, Glasgow, London and Manchester. A girl reservationist feeds the enquiry into a computer which is linked by direct high speed lines to a National Coal Board's two IBM 360/50 computers at Cannock, Staffordshire. These are programmed to register the room availability of those hotels subscribing to the system. An immediate firm booking can be made or room availability given. The computerised part of the operation takes only 15 seconds. (credit:PA)
Politics - Tony Benn - Labour Party Conference - Brighton(57 of116)
Members of Labour's National Executive Committee, including the Prime Minister, link hands as the 65th annual conference of the Labour Party ends with the singing of "Auld Lang Syne" at Brighton. Miss JENNIE LEE, Joint Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department of Education and Science, and the Minister responsible for the Arts' Mr. ANTHONY WEDGWOOD BENN, the Minister of Technology; Mr. JAMES CALLAGHAN, the Chancellor of the Exchequer; Mr. RICHARD CROSSMAN, Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons; MRS. BARBARA CASTLE, Minister of Transport; Mr. TOM DRIBERG, MP; Miss ALICE BACON, Minister of State, Home Office; Mr. HAROLD WILSON; and Mr. JACK BOYD. (credit:PA)
Politics - Tony Benn - Millbank Tower, London(58 of116)
MR ANTHONY WEDGWOOD BENN, Britain's Minister of Technology, holds a copy of a new publication, 'New Technology', at press conference at Millbank Tower, London. 'New Technology', will be published monthly by the Ministry with the co-operation of the Central Office of Information and distributed free. It is intended for senior people in industry, commerce and finance, in the worlds of engineering, science and education. This first issue, carries a 2000-word account by Mr Wedgwood Benn, with special reference to the significance of the merger with aviation. (credit:PA)
Politics - Labour Party Meeting - Hampstead Town Hall, London(59 of116)
Michael Meacher (l), a contender for the Labour Party deputy leadership, with former MP Tony Benn at the Labour Party meeting at Hampstead Town Hall in London. (credit:PA)
Tony Benn death(60 of116)
File photo dated 01/12/50 of Tony Benn celebrating retaining the seat for Labour in the Parliamentary by-election at Bristol south-east. The veteran politician died at home today at the age of 88, his family said in a statement. (credit:PA)
Tony Benn death(61 of116)
File photo dated 08/05/61 of Tony Benn with his wife and son at his home in Holland Park before heading to the House of Commons.The veteran politician died at home today at the age of 88, his family said in a statement. (credit:PA)
Tony Benn death(62 of116)
File photo dated 28/07/61 of Tony Benn with his wife Caroline. The veteran politician died at home today at the age of 88, his family said in a statement.RESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Friday March 14, 2014. See PA story DEATH Benn. Photo credit should read: PA/PA Wire (credit:PA)
Tony Benn death(63 of116)
File photo dated 18/04/79 of Tony Benn campaigning in Bristol. The veteran politician died at home today at the age of 88, his family said in a statement. (credit:PA)
G20 Summit Day One(64 of116)
Tony Benn MP during the Stop The War Coalition protest march outside the US Embassy in London. (credit:PA)
Stop The War Campaign(65 of116)
Labour veteran Tony Benn (left) chats with musician and music producer Brian Eno at Whitehall, as they wait to enter Downing Street to deliver a letter from the Stop The War Campaign regarding the conflict in Georgia. (credit:PA)
Soccer - F.A. Cup 6th Round - Chesterfield v Wrexham(66 of116)
Tony Benn, M.P. for Chesterfield at the game between Chesterfield v Wrexham (credit:PA)
Stop The War Coalition protest(67 of116)
Former Labour MP Tony Benn gives his support to a protest by the Stop The War Coalition, opposite Downing Street. (credit:PA)
Benn the younger aims for Parliament(68 of116)
Emily Benn with, her grandfather, former Labour MP Tony Benn (right) and her uncle, Environment Secretary Hilary Benn, during the 2007 Labour Party Conference at the Bournemouth International Centre, Dorset. (credit:PA)
Stop The War Campaign(69 of116)
Labour veteran Tony Benn at Whitehall, where he delivered a letter from the Stop The War Campaign regarding the conflict in Georgia. (credit:PA)
'Tony Benn's Greatest Hits' (70 of116)
Veteran Labour politician, Tony Benn, 78, (right) with urban record producer Charles Bailey at HMV, Oxford Street, London. The pair came together to produce the album 'Tony Benn's Greatest Hits' featuring the stateman's speeches set to ambient groove music. hl120903 (credit:PA)
POLITICS Pensioners/demo(71 of116)
L-R: a protestor, Dep. Gen. Secretary of Communication Workers Union Tony Young, MP Tony Benn, General Secretary of UNISON Rodney Bickerstaff and MP Ken Livingstone at Trafalgar Square lending their support to pensioners who demand a higher basic pension. (credit:PA)
Exhibition at Florence Nightingale Museum(72 of116)
Gill Hicks, a survivor of the 7/7 London Bombings and Tony Benn at the opening of an exhibition at Florence Nightingale Museum. Gill is holding the pair of special silver trainers worn during her time at St Thomas' Hospital after she lost her legs following the bombings. (credit:PA)
Bill Clinton Book Signing - Giving - London(73 of116)
Former US President Bill Clinton signs copies of his new book, 'Giving', for former MP Tony Benn at Waterstones in central London. (credit:PA)
Anti-war protest in Trafalgar Square, London.(74 of116)
Tony Benn takes a break to smoke his pipe during an anti-war protest in Parliament Square, central London. (credit:PA)
Gaza vigil(75 of116)
Tony Benn in Parliament Square at the launch of a non-stop vigil in protest at Israel's attacks on Gaza. (credit:PA)
Possible part-privatisation of Royal Mail(76 of116)
Tony Benn attends a postal workers rally organised as part of the CWU campaign against the privatisation of Royal Mail, takes inside Methodist Central Hall in Westminster, central London. (credit:PA)
Gaza vigil(77 of116)
Tony Benn in Parliament Square at the launch of a non-stop vigil in protest at Israel's attacks on Gaza. (credit:PA)
Stop The War Coalition protest(78 of116)
Former Labour MP Tony Benn gives his support to a protesters from the Stop The War Coalition, opposite Downing Street. (credit:PA)
Carole Vincent court case(79 of116)
Big Brother contestant Carole Vincent with Tony Benn outside at Southwark Crown Court, London, where her case was dropped after she was sent for trial for stealing a policeman's baton at an anti-war demonstration. (credit:PA)
British Afghan war protes(80 of116)
Tony Benn joins Stop the War protestors at the cenotaph in central London for a short memorial service for the soldiers who have lost their lives in Afghanistan (credit:PA)
'Standup for Haiti' TUC Aid Concert - London(81 of116)
Tony Benn speaks at the Concert For Haiti, sponsored by the TUC, at Congress House in London. (credit:PA)
Political Book Awards - London(82 of116)
Tony Benn attending the Political Book Awards, at the BFI Imax in central London. (credit:PA)
Tony Benn home office-retires(83 of116)
The veteran Labour left-winger Tony Benn at his London home after he announced that he is to stand down as an MP at the next General Election. Mr Benn stressed that leaving Parliament would not mark the end of his political career. * 24/11/00: Benn has warned Labour voters could desert the party at the next election. Mr Benn, who steps down as MP for Chesterfield at the next election, said ministers are out of touch with voters and party members. (credit:PA)
Politics - Tony Benn - London(84 of116)
Tony Benn, who was selected as Pipesmoker of the Year by the Pipesmokers' Council. (credit:PA)
TONY BENN - 70 YEARS OF WOMEN VO(85 of116)
TONY BENN MP WITH WOMEN MARCHERS FROMTHE NORTHEAST, AFTER WALKING FROMMORPETH TO THE HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT TOCELEBRATE 76 YEARS OF WINNING THE VOTE,IN LONDON. (credit:PA)
TONY BENN STUDIES BALLOT RESULT(86 of116)
TONY BENN STUDIES THE BALLOT RESULTCHECK SHEET IN THE HALL AT THE LABOURPARTY CONFERENCE IN BLACKPOOL. (credit:PA)
POLITICS LABOUR CONFERENCE BLACKPOOL(87 of116)
USED AND OVERS. TONY BENN DURING DEFENCE DEBATE (credit:PA)
Political Book Awards - London(88 of116)
Tony Benn attending the Political Book Awards, at the BFI Imax in central London. (credit:PA)
Palestine Solidarity Campaign(89 of116)
Tony Benn at a meeting of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, at Conway Hall, Holborn, London. (credit:PA)
British Afghan war protest(90 of116)
Former Labour MP Tony Benn, at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, London, where the names of British soldiers killed in Afghanistan since 2001 have been read out in a protest against the war. (credit:PA)
Carole Vincent court case(91 of116)
Big Brother contestant Carole Vincent with Tony Benn outside at Southwark Crown Court, London, where her case was dropped after she was sent for trial for stealing a policeman's baton at an anti-war demonstration. (credit:PA)
Stop The War Campaign(92 of116)
Labour veteran Tony Benn (left) chats with musician and music producer Brian Eno at Whitehall, as they wait to enter Downing Street to deliver a letter from the Stop The War Campaign regarding the conflict in Georgia. (credit:PA)
G20 Summit Day One(93 of116)
Tony Benn speaks following the Anti-War Coalition's march through central London. (credit:PA)
A perfect cup of Tea - Tony Benn(94 of116)
Tea lover Tony Benn is poured a 'perfect cup of Tea' at the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), on Piccadilly in London. * On the day before the centenary of the birth of George Orwell, a prodigious tea drinker, the RSC unveiled the correct procedure for making the perfect cup of tea to mark the occassion. (credit:PA)
BENN RETURNS FROM IRAQ(95 of116)
Former Labour MP Tony Benn speaks to the press as he arrives at Heathrow Airport, London, after meeting with Saddam Hussein for two hours yesterday. * The two men discussed the possible war but Mr Benn refused to reveal whether Saddam was hopeful that he could avoid a military onslaught. (credit:PA)
Benn World Peace Flame Award(96 of116)
Labour MP Tony Benn receiving the World Peace Flame at a rally for non-violence hosted by the Indian Vegetarian Society in Trafalgar Square, London. The flame is kept burning in a miner's lamp (R) and is given to those in the world who inspire hope, peace and unity. (credit:PA)
BENN RETURNS FROM IRAQ(97 of116)
Former Labour MP Tony Benn speaks to the press as he arrives at Heathrow Airport, London, after meeting with Saddam Hussein for two hours. * The two men discussed the possible war but Mr Benn refused to reveal whether Saddam was hopeful that he could avoid a military onslaught. (credit:PA)
Tony Benn goes to Iraq(98 of116)
Former Labour MP Tony Benn checks in at Heathrow Airport in London for his flight to Baghdad where he hopes to meet Saddam Hussein to explore the alternatives to war. Mr Benn said that he was trying to hype the whole thing down. *...that he was paying his own fare and hotel bills and did not want to say much about his visit in case the meeting did not in the end materialise. (credit:PA)
Brighton Labour Conference Benn(99 of116)
Tony Benn talks at The Tribune fringe conference, during the Labour Party annual conference, in Brighton. (credit:PA)
Labour Conference Benn(100 of116)
Veteran Labour MP Tony Benn during the Britain in the World debate at the Labour Party annual conference, held in the Brighton International Centre. lweeksn (credit:PA)
Election Benn PMQ(101 of116)
Veteran member of Parliament Tony Benn listens to Prime Minister Tony Blair in the House of Commons during the last session of Prime Minister's Questions before the House is dissolved ahead of the General Election June 7, 2001. (credit:PA)
FUNERAL Powell/ Benn(102 of116)
Labour MP Tony Benn (right) with Lord Deeds (left) and Lord King arriving at St Margaret's Church, Westminster, today (Wednesday), for the funeral of Enoch Powell, the former Conservative and Ulster Unionist MP, who died on Sunday February 8, aged 85. See PA Story FUNERAL Powell. Photo by Peter Jordan/PA. (credit:PA)
POLITICS LABOUR CONFERENCE BLACKPOOL(103 of116)
USED AND OVERS TONY BENN MAKING A SPEECH (credit:PA)
Tony Benn and Frances Peduzzi - TUC(104 of116)
Frances Peduzzi, a delegate at a conference held at the TUC headquarters in London, has her own debate with former Labour MP Tony Benn. * The theme of the conference After New Labour, discussed the future of the Labour Party, and asked for a return to the party's traditional values. (credit:PA)
Stop The War Campaign(105 of116)
Labour veteran Tony Benn at Whitehall, where he delivered a letter from the Stop The War Campaign regarding the conflict in Georgia. (credit:PA)
War protest in Downing Street(106 of116)
Tony Benn, joins other war protesters who met at Downing Street to deliver a letter to the Prime Minister. (credit:PA)
POLITICS Tony Benn vg(107 of116)
Labour MP Tony Benn, speaking in the House of Commons Thursday December 17, 1998: following the statement made by Prime Minister Tony Blair over the Iraq crisis. PA Photos. (credit:PA)
Benn Elderly March(108 of116)
Veteran Labour MP Tony Benn, leading over 500 OAPs in a march to mark the start of the three-day National Pensioners Convention in Blackpool's Winter Gardens. Organisers of the Pensioners' Parliament, in its sixth year, predicted a record number over 2,500. * OAPs that would take part in the conference. The protest and the conference will raise issues such as the future of the basic state pension, provision of care for the elderly and the need for free and improved public transport. (credit:PA)
Rail Crash March/Tony Benn(109 of116)
Chesterfield MP Tony Benn joins rail union members at a demonstration in central London, calling for the renationalisation of the railway industry. * Demonstrators chanted Safety not profit , claiming that privatisation is perceived to be the root cause of falling safety standards. *27/02/01 MP Tony Benn said that life under New Labour was like being "an Avon lady" and compared the Government with a weathervane over it's policy on the euro. He admitted he was completely taken in by Ali G's recent spoof interview with him and claimed he was retiring from Parliament to "spend more time on politics". The left-winger launched his latest attack on life under New Labour in the new edition of Radio Times, published 27/02/01. (credit:PA)
DEMO Benn(110 of116)
Labour MP Tony Benn addresses protesters in Whitehall, central London, during a demonstration over the British and US bombing of Iraq. 27/6/99: Benn announced that he is to stand down as a MP at the next General Election. * but he stressed that leaving Parliament would not mark the end of his political career. Mr Benn disclosed his decision in a letter to his constituency Labour Party in Chesterfield. (credit:PA)
Tony Benn/anti-war demo(111 of116)
Veteran Labour MP Tony Benn, speaking in London's Trafalgar Square, where an estimated 2,000 anti-war campaigners gathered to stage a protest against the Nato bombing of Yugoslavia. 27/6/99: Benn to stand down as a MP at the next General Election. * Mr Benn disclosed his decision in a letter to his constituency Labour Party in Chesterfield, but he stressed that leaving Parliament would not mark the end of his political career. (credit:PA)
Tony Benn/home office-retires 2(112 of116)
The veteran Labour left-winger Tony Benn at his London home after he announced that he is to stand down as an MP at the next General Election. Mr Benn stressed that leaving Parliament would not mark the end of his political career. (credit:PA)
Stop the War Coalition conference(113 of116)
President of the Stop the War Coalition Tony Benn addresses the Stop the War Coalition's annual conference held at the Camden Centre in central London. The Coalition established itself on the political and campaigning map last year and remains determined to prevent future wars and to hold the government to account for their actions. (credit:PA)
Stop the War Coalition conference(114 of116)
President of the Stop the War Coalition Tony Benn addresses the Stop the War Coalition's annual conference held at the Camden Centre in central London. The Coalition established itself on the political and campaigning map last year and remains determined to prevent future wars and to hold the government to account for their actions. (credit:PA)
TONY BENN(115 of116)
PA NEWS PHOTO 29/10/94 MP TONY BENN (CENTRE) LENDS HIS SUPPORT DURING THE CND NATIONAL RALLY IN PROTEST AGAINST TRIDENT IN LONDON (credit:PA)
PAINTING Major&Benn(116 of116)
Former Prime Minister John Major (left) shares a joke with Labour MP Tony Benn at the National Portrait Gallery this evening (Wednesday), where new paintings of Mr and Mrs Major and Mr Benn were unveiled. Photo by David Cheskin/PA. Watch for PA story (credit:PA)
Benn was admitted to Charing Cross Hospital in London at the beginning of February after feeling unwell, and returned home on March 4. His death comes just days after the loss of a left-wing hero of a later generation, RMT union boss Bob Crow.
Labour leader Ed Miliband paid tribute to an "iconic figure of our age".